FAQ

How do I place an order with you?

You can find all the details on my Ordering page.

I need to get in touch with you... can I phone you? Or email?

You're welcome to get in touch - I'm always happy to help. All the details are here...are here.

Can I pay by credit card over the telephone?

Yes you can. You can find details of all the payment options on my Ordering page..

How do I burn incense sticks?

Manufacturers' instructions are as follows: "Light the tip of the incense stick until it flames. After the tip starts to glow, blow out the flame. Fix the incense stick into a suitable holder, on a firm surface, away from combustible materials." So now you know!

What's the best way to burn incense cones?

Very similar to burning an incense stick, really... light the pointed end of the cone, and when it flames, blow it out. Stand the cone on a suitable (heat-resistant) holder on a firm surface, away from combustible materials. It's quite normal for the last little bit of the cone at the bottom not to burn... there's usually 1 - 2mm left..

Do you have any tips on burning incense logs?

Incense logs (like Chandan Dhoop) are burnt in the same way as incense cones... BUT they're more difficult to light, because of the larger surface area involved. If you use a match, you'll probably burn your fingers... so either use a cigarette lighter (if you have one) or light the end of the log in a candle flame. You'll probably find you need to light, and blow out, the end of the log several times before it's glowing across the whole end surface. Chandan Dhoop usually comes with a small metal disk included in the box, to stand the logs on to burn... but if you use it, remember it'll get hot as the log burns down - so stand it on something heatproof... an old saucer or a ceramic tile is ideal.

How should I support incense coils so they burn properly?

Incense coils need to be suspended in the air somehow in order to burn properly... they'll go out if they're touching against a surface. I stock a couple of incense holders that are suitable for burning coils (as well as sticks)... but my "Temple of Heaven" incense coils come with their own support - look in the box and you'll find a metal pressing in the shape of a bird (I think it's meant to be a crane, which is a symbol of immortality in China). Twist the bottom part of the pressing through 90 degrees, so there are four feet you can stand it upright on - take care though, the metal is VERY sharp! - then suspend the incense coil, at its centre, from the bird's beak. Light the outer end of the coil, blow it out once it's glowing, and enjoy the fragrance... (If that seems about as clear as mud, the photos below should show you what I mean!)


What holder should I use to burn Tibetan or Nepalese incense?

It can be a little difficult to find a holder for the Tibetan and Nepalese incense varieties I stock ... because the sticks are much fatter than ordinary incense sticks, and they don't have a wooden / bamboo centre. However, I stock some incense holders specifically designed for Tibetan and Nepalese incense... including the large carved wood dish holder , and another wooden stand / holder.

If you want to do so, it's quite straightforward to modify most of the wooden holders in my range, just by enlarging the hole for the sticks to fit... I usually use a metal skewer for the job, but a small drill would be better! Another method is to use one of my smokeboxes - get yourself a little dry sand, spread it in the ash-catcher groove inside the box, light one or both ends of the Tibetan incense stick, and lay it gently on the bed of sand.
(Another option is to find a small pot of some description, fill it with fine dry sand, and stand the Tibetan incense stick upright in the sand to burn.)

What do I need to burn incense granules?

Unlike most other types of incense, the granules (which are essentially dried and ground tree-resin) won't burn on their own. They need a source of heat to vapourise them... the normal way to provide that heat is to place them on burning charcoal. I stock suitable charcoal tablets, which are specially treated to light very easily, even with a match - unlike the charcoal you'd usually use for a barbecue! You'll also need a holder for the charcoal... I'd suggest a terracotta dish. (I also offer a starter pack which contains everything you need to try this form of incense.)
For more information, take a look at my advice on burning incense resins etc...

My Laxmi Dhoop won't stay alight... what should I do?

Laxmi Dhoop is a soft incense that is based on gum benzoin... so it can tend to go out if it's not hot enough. I've found that the best way to light it, and keep it alight, is to either burn it in the stick shape that it comes in (or mould a stick of it into a thin cone shape), light the tip and allow it to flame for around 30 seconds before blowing it out. (I know that sounds like an awfully long time, but the dhoop needs that long to build up enough heat.) The disadvantage of this is that Laxmi Dhoop can burn with a very sooty flame - so you can easily end up with a room full of floating smuts! Avoid the problem by lighting it outside... then bring it indoors once you've blown out the flame. Alternatively, break the dhoop into small pellets and burn them on a charcoal tablet, in the same way as you would incense granules.

What's the difference between agarbathi and dhoop incense?

That's an easy one. They're Indian words - Agarbathi ( sometimes spelt agarbatti, and often shortened to bathi or batti) simply means "incense sticks", the type with a thin wood (agar-wood, hence the name...) or bamboo stick as support for the actual incense - like Nag Champa and many others. Dhoop is basically any other type of incense... so incense cones and coils are all dhoop... and so are the soft gummy incense types, like Laxmi Dhoop.

How do I light and use charcoal tablets?

Here are the makers' instructions...



(Simple when you know how, isn't it?)